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“It was stupid because you did it thinking you weren’t going to do it again.”

“Is that right?”

“It is.” She steps closer, glaring up at me. “Did you really think you could kiss me like that and then just never do it again?”

“I didn’t say it would be easy,” I huff. “I just said it was the right thing.”

She nods thoughtfully, that same fury in her eyes when she counters, “Just like I said. Stupid.”

And then she surges upward, wrapping her arms around my neck as she plants her mouth on mine.

Every good intention I’ve been clinging to goes flying out the window when I feel her pressed against me; it’s not unlike what I felt yesterday, an overwhelming sense of rightness that I’ve not felt since…Well. Ever, really. Somewhere, deep in my mind, I know that I should push her away. That I should stand my ground to protect her from potential heartbreak.

But I physically can’t seem to do that.

Instead, I feel my arms winding around her willowy frame, pulling her closer. I feel my lips part to allow her tongue to swipe against mine, groaning at the taste of her toothpaste and the underlying sweetness that is just her. I can’t resist letting my hand trail up her spine to shove into her hair, loving the way the springy, silken curls twist around my fingers.

She smells like something soft and sweet, her shampoo maybe—but she tastes like honey and sunshine and every good memory I’ve ever had, however few. How can I possibly push her away when she’s the first thing I’ve allowed myself to hope for in years?

She makes a surprised sound when I let my hands slide down to curl under her arse, whimpering into my mouth as I hoist her up against my body. Her legs wrap around my waist, the hardening length of my cock pressed against the warmth between her legs and drawing another groan from deep in my throat.

My lips wander, tasting every part of her skin that’s been tempting me, even when I thought of her as my enemy—pressing kisses to her cheek, her jaw, along the soft line of her throat until she’s gasping with it. I’ve never felt need like this; the overwhelming heat of her burrows into me and lights me up like crackling electricity, leaving me suspended between wanting to do this, just this, forever, and wanting to takeeverythingshe’s willing to give.

“We shouldn’t,” I argue feebly.

She just tilts her head, allowing me better access. “If you stop, I’ll kill you.”

A hoarse chuckle escapes me just before I feel her fingernails scratching at my jaw, brushing the trimmed hair of my beard, quickly moving to toy with the neckline of my shirt before she gives it a curious tug.

“Can you take this off?”

I grin against her mouth. “I knew you liked the view that day.”

“Just shut up and take it off,” she grumbles.

“Anything for you, princess.”

I drop her to her feet before reaching behind me to pull my shirt over my head, and I can’t pretend I don’t enjoy the flash of heat in hereyes as she ogles me without it. I keep as still as I’m able as her hands run through the dark hair on my chest, sucking in a breath when her thumb flicks across one of my nipples.

“Careful,” I warn.

She bites her lip. “Of?”

“I’m all about fair play,” I hum, reaching to toy with the hem of her sweater. “And right now we’re a wee bit unbalanced.”

Her smile is devilish, and she shoves my hands away before tugging her sweater up and off in one fell swoop, letting it dangle from her finger coyly for a moment before dropping it to the floor.

“How about now?”

I let out a shaky breath, my eyes drinking in the gentle swells and slopes of her body, the creamy skin dotted with freckles that beg to be traced with my tongue. “S’really not fair,” I mutter.

She beams wider, hooking her finger through my belt loop and tugging me backward until we’re falling onto my too-small bed that’s barely big enough for me, let alone the two of us. Still, seeing her splayed out on my sheets is…something to behold.

I run my fingers through her hair, dipping my head to trace her collarbone with my lips. I feel her shiver against me when I bring my other hand to her waist to tease her hipbone with my thumb, exhaling roughly against her skin.

“What’s happening here, Key?”

She makes an amused sound. “I thought that was obvious.”